Holland Reporter

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) expressed his concerns regarding the Biden Administration's proposal to impose a $600 per petition "Asylum Program Fee" on employers. In response, the House Rules Committee has advanced Huizenga's amendment for consideration before the full U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to block any funding for this new fee.

The proposed fee would have a detrimental impact on various job creators in Michigan, particularly in the agricultural and tourism industries, who heavily rely on seasonal labor, including H-2A temporary agricultural workers and H-2B temporary non-agricultural workers.

Speaking on the matter, Congressman Bill Huizenga stated, "This proposal by the Biden Administration will hurt agriculture, tourism, and the small businesses that fuel Southwest Michigan’s economy. Running a family farm, growing a small business, and raising a family in the current economic climate is already challenging enough. The Biden Administration should not be raising costs and billing Southwest Michigan job creators to pay for the President’s failed immigration policies. At the end of the day, this massive new $600 fee will result in higher prices for consumers, farmers, and small businesses which is why I introduced my amendment to stop it."

Huizenga's amendment to H.R. 4367, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, aims to prevent the Administration from transferring the costs of President Biden's border policies onto small businesses and family farms not only in Southwest Michigan but also across the nation.

Earlier this year, Congressman Huizenga led a bipartisan effort that received support from six Republicans and six Democrats from the Michigan Delegation. They opposed the Department of Homeland Security's new $600 fee, which was proposed to be imposed on farmers and small businesses.

To learn more about Congressman Bill Huizenga's efforts to fight against the proposed Asylum Program Fee, visit the official website.